March 13, 2020
SBU Family,
Part of our mission at SBU is preparing students to be servant leaders in a global
society. As communities, governments, schools, businesses and others respond to recent
events with the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus), we are learning just how connected
we all are to our global society.
Across the country, higher education leaders are planning for and responding to the
multitude of global disruptions to our everyday lives. At SBU, we are taking a measured
approach by:
- Using available technology to continue teaching and learning beyond a physical classroom
- Committing to this approach for one week after Spring Break (March 23-27) while we
continue to monitor the situation and consider appropriate future responses
Since we made the announcement Wednesday evening about moving course facilitation
online for the week of March 23, we have received questions from students, parents,
faculty and staff about logistical details. Many of those questions have been answered
through internal portal announcements and website updates. We continue to work through
some of the questions and will provide answers as soon as possible. Thank you for
your patience as we continue to work through this together.
As everyone prepares to leave our campuses today, I wanted to provide you with some
updated information.
- Our Self-Quarantine Guidelines for COVID-19 were updated on Thursday, March 12. You
can view the updated guidelines at www.SBUniv.edu/coronavirus. I strongly encourage you to reconsider any international travel plans.
- The Great Lakes Valley Conference’s Council of Presidents voted unanimously Friday
to suspend all activities related to intercollegiate athletics, effective immediately
across all 24 GLVC sports, and cancel the remaining 2020 GLVC Championships. The GLVC
Council of Presidents will review the status of the league suspension on April 6.
- In addition to our standard cleaning and disinfection protocols, we are adding new
protocols to further ensure the cleanliness of all facilities.
- All campus buildings, including the Wellness Center, will be closed March 14-22. Students
who remain in the residence halls during Spring Break will not have access to any
other buildings.
- For students who need or desire to return before March 29, residence halls will re-open
and meal service resume on March 22. Students planning to return before March 29 should
notify their resident director. With services being offered, we will not be issuing
refunds for housing or meal plans.
- Campus employment and work study students who live locally or have plans to remain
in the residence halls the week of March 23 will be allowed to work campus employment
or work study hours. Students should communicate with supervisors regarding the week
of March 23. The March 18 payroll will be processed on schedule.
- Because chapel services will not be held March 23 and 25, all students will receive
two Community, Life + Worship credits.
- Events scheduled after March 28, including May commencement ceremonies, are still
planned as scheduled.
This is the plan today, as of right now. While you are away, stay connected to our
official communication channels — MySBU Portal, the SBU website, SBU email and SBU
Alert messages — for updated information. I look forward to seeing you on our campuses
again as soon as possible.
These are uncertain times, but I am grateful for the certainty we have in our Lord.
Shaping our story together,
Dr. Eric A. Turner
President
SBU Coronavirus Information Page
